Koerner and Ortiz take WS100 titles
The now two-time winner Hal Koerner
The legendary Western Sates 100 took place yesterday (28) in what were described as ‘sweltering’ conditions. 2007 winner Hal Koerner defended his title (there was no race in 2008) and after a steady start Anita Ortiz stormed through the field to finish first woman and an amazing 9th overall.
Top Brit was Jez Bragg, coming through to finish an amazing 3rd. After suffering a little around 80 miles Jez seems to have scythed his way through the leaders to take the last podium spot, in the very last mile.
Mustering the energy to write a short blog entry the winner of this years’ Celtic 100km and Fellsman said:
Well, it was the epic of all epics. I moved through the field and felt very confident of a podium finish when I met my pacer, Scott, at Forest Hill (62 miles). Then we dropped down to the river, and the temperature soared. Scott tells me it was well in the 100s. I managed to hold it together until the river crossing (78miles), but the wheels were starting to wobble big time, I lost a couple of places and fell back to 7th. 80 to 88miles was pretty hellish; the setting sun was pounding the side of the final canyon we were traversing.
Superb third place for Jez Bragg
But as soon as it went down, I got my head down and ran some quick miles. At Highway 49 I was in 5th, not many miles left to reel in the remaining guys who I knew were fairly close in front. I smoked it to No Hands Bridge, still no sign of them. There Scott re-joined me after sorting his blisters and we put our heads down and ran more quick miles. I got into 4th at about mile 98, then hit the podium slot of 3rd in the last mile. It was emotional stuff. I finished in 16h 54 (I think), 3rd place. The finish into the stadium was simply awesome.
Full race results can be found on the WS site
With post-race video covering the top finishers here and here
